8 Quick Hits of Cannabis News from Across Michigan

By Kyle Kaminski

October 5, 2023

MICHIGAN—Cannabis is a pretty big deal in Michigan—and there’s never a shortage of newsworthy headlines from the industry as the state inches closer to becoming the nation’s weed capital.

Here are eight things you need to know this week:

BAD GUMMIES: More than 9,000 packages of THC-infused gummies have been recalled due to potency and packaging concerns. They are produced by Viola Brands, which was co-founded by former NBA star Al Harrington and named after Harrington’s grandmother.

WEED AT SCHOOL: Two state lawmakers introduced bills that would allow K-12 students to take medical marijuana and CBD-infused products on school premises. Those students are currently required to be checked out of school before they can receive medication.

HARVEST TIME: An outdoor cannabis cultivation facility in Van Buren County is inching closer to harvest—with some of the bigger plants now towering as high as 14 feet tall.

IN MEMORIAM: Over the past few weeks, several prolific cannabis activists from Michigan have died—including Rick Thompson, Gersh Avery, Amy Gregor Gasaway and Brad Lemke. All of them will be remembered as “fiercely passionate plant-medicine pioneers.”

NOW HIRING: Beginning this week, prospective employees for most state of Michigan jobs no longer have to pass a pre-employment drug screening for marijuana. The Michigan Civil Service Commission reportedly decided to lift those drug testing rules earlier this summer.

TO THE BANK: Calls are growing for Congress to pass the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act, which would ensure banks won’t be penalized for providing Michigan’s cannabis companies and their employees with banking and other financial services.

POT PAUSE: A judge ruled that the Upper Peninsula city of Menominee cannot issue any more marijuana business licenses until a lawsuit over the Open Meetings Act is resolved.

ALL EYES ON OHIO: Dozens of dispensaries near Michigan’s southern border could lose millions of dollars in revenue if Ohio voters decide in November to legalize recreational weed, largely because Ohioans could soon stop driving north to refill their stash.

Want more cannabis news? Click here to sign up The MichiGanja Report, a free twice-a-month newsletter from The ‘Gander about all things cannabis.

Author

Kyle Kaminski

Kyle Kaminski is an award-winning investigative journalist with more than a decade of experience covering news across Michigan. Prior to joining The ‘Gander, Kyle worked as the managing editor at City Pulse in Lansing and as a reporter for the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

View all posts